Height adjustable stand up desk

ABSTRACT

An adjustable stand up desk includes a desk top; a desk base; leg assembly coupled to the desk top and the desk base; and an assisted lift mechanism. The assisted lift mechanism includes a gas spring coupled to the desk top and the leg assembly that assists in lifting and damping a first portion of travel of the desk top, and a spring device external to and in concentric alignment with the gas spring and sized and positioned to dampen a fall and assist a lift during a second portion of travel of the desk top.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/163,670 filed May 19, 2015, now pending, entitled “An Adjustable Stand Up Desk Utilizing a Scissor-Lift System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Sitting for long periods of time negatively impacts quality of life for many people. Poor posture and existing back injuries can make sitting painful. Recent studies have shown that sitting most of the day decreases human lifespan by two to three years.

The majority of standing desks require the customer to replace their current desk. Many customers are unwilling or unable to do this, especially if they work in a cubicle where removing the desk is not an option.

Existing desktop stand up desks do not offer a sufficient range of height adjustment to be ergonomic for the majority of the population, and several are not adjustable.

Existing standing desks also are prohibitively expensive for most of the population, leaving the health benefits of standing out of reach.

SUMMARY

An adjustable stand up desk includes a desk top; a desk base; a leg assembly coupled to the desk top and the desk base; and an assisted lift mechanism. The assisted lift mechanism includes a gas spring coupled to the desk top and the leg assembly that assists in lifting and damping a first portion of travel of the desk top, and a spring device external to and in concentric alignment with the gas spring and sized and positioned to dampen a fall and assist a lift of a second portion of travel of the desk top.

In an embodiment, the gas spring is triggered utilizing a pivotable handle. The force of the gas spring lifts the desk top to a desired height and dampens the fall of the desk top to an intermediate height or to a fully stowed, planar position.

In an embodiment, the adjustable stand up desk incorporates a secondary spring mechanism, which rides on the piston rod of the gas spring so as to control the drop and assist the lift of the desk top during a portion of its travel between an extended position and the fully stowed, planar position. The adjustable stand up desk also may include a removable limit bar that limits full collapse of the adjustable stand up desk.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a right side isometric view of an example stand up desk.

FIG. 2 shows a right side isometric view of the stand up desk with the desk top shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 shows a left side isometric view of the stand up desk with the desk top shown in phantom.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the desk shown in FIG. 2 without the desk top.

FIG. 5 shows cross-sectional view 5-5 from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows cross-sectional view 6-6 from FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a frame of the stand up desk of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows cross-sectional view 8-8 from FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the frame of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows cross-sectional view 11-11 from FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 shows cross-sectional view 12-12 from FIG. 9,

FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of another example stand-up desk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an adjustable stand up desk 1 having a vertically-movable desk top 2, a base 4, a leg assembly, and a lift assist system. In an embodiment, the leg assembly is a scissor lift system that includes a pair of first beams 5 a and a pair of second beams 6 a, which pivot relative to each other thus forming an x when the desk 1 is in a raised position. The first beams 5 a and the second beams 6 a are hinged through a pivot rod 16 that passes through both beam pairs, as seen in FIG. 8. Spacers 18 ride on the pivot rod 16 and the spacers 18 keep the first beams 5 a, 5 b and the second beams 6 a, 6 b separated and parallel.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the base 4 is a rectangular frame that includes four L-shaped beams 4 a-4 d. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, one end of the first beams 5 a pivotally connects to L-shaped beam 4 c of the base 4. The other ends of the first beams 5 a are pivotable and slidable relative to a first anchor plate 10. The ends of the second beams 6 a are pivotally anchored to a second anchor plate 8. The other ends of the second beams 6 a are pivotable and slidable relative to the base 4.

It is envisioned that the first anchor plate 10 and the second anchor plate 8 are fixed to the desk top 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the L-shaped beams 4 a, 4 b face each other. Each of the L-shaped beams 4 a, 4 b respectively contain a capping plate 4 e, 4 f that extends a portion of the L-shaped beam and extends perpendicular to the L-shaped beams thus forming a U-shaped rail. The U-shaped rails face each other. The second beams 6 a are slidable and pivotally relative to the U-shaped rails. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the second beams 6 a include a hub 6 b that in turn holds a pair of wheels 6 c that rotate freely. One of the wheels 6 c rides inside the U-shaped rails while the other wheel 6 c rides on a flat strip 4 g. The flat strips 4 g are connected to L-shaped beam 4 d and a brace 4 h that extends between the L-shaped beams 4 a, 4 b to provide structural stability to the strips 4 g.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first anchor plate 10 includes a pair of L-shaped beams 10 b, 10 c at one end that face each other and together with the anchor plate 10 form a pair of channels in which the first beams 5 a slide and rotate relative to the L-shaped beams 10 b, 10 c. A lift assist shown in this embodiment includes an adjustable push-in gas spring 14 that is rotatably anchored to the ends of the first beams 5 a as seen in FIG. 12. A pair of pins 14 a projects opposite from the gas spring 14 and each pin 14 a is fitted through holes 5 d at the ends of the first beams 5 a, and the pins 14 a rotate freely in the holes 5 d. At the ends of each of the pins 14 a is a rotatable wheel 5 c, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, both first beams 5 a are connected through a cylindrical brace 5 b, which hingedly connects to the L-shaped beam 4 c and keeps both first beams 5 a parallel to each other. The gas spring 14 eventually slides relative to the L-shaped beams 10 a, 10 b along with the first beams 5 a.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 11, the first anchor plate 10 further includes an extension 10 a holding a pivotable handle 12 that triggers the adjustable push-in gas spring 14. The adjustable push-in gas spring 14 is of a common configuration and need not be detailed herein. The operation of the gas spring 14 is triggered when a rod 14 c is pushed in relative to an outer hollow rod 14 b. The hollow rod 14 b is fixed to a vertical wall 10 f using a pair of threaded nuts 14 d. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle 12 includes a hinge rod 12 c that rotates relative to a pair of parallel plates 10 e. The handle 12 includes a pair of cantilever rods 12 b that extends perpendicular to the hinge rod 12 c. A U-shaped bar 12 a bridges between the cantilever rods 12 b so as to let a user pivot the handle 12. At bottom ends of the parallel plates 10 e, a pair of stops 10 d extend perpendicular to the parallel plates 10 e and face each other. The stops 10 d prevent the cantilever rods 12 b from dropping and keep the handle 12 at the same location after deactivation. As shown in FIG. 11, the hinge rod 12 c includes a trigger plate 12 d that extends from the hinge rod 12 c so as to push the rod 14 c of the gas spring 14.

FIG. 11 further shows a spring mechanism 14 e that in one aspect retards or dampens a portion of the drop of the desk top 2 and in another aspect assists extension of the desk's legs, i.e., beams 5 a, 5 b, 6 a, and 6 b and hence a lift of the desk top 2. The spring mechanism 14 e is in concentric arrangement with the rod 14 c of the gas spring 14 and is sized and positioned as shown in FIG. 11 such that when the desk top 2 approaches the fully stowed position in the base 4, an end surface of gas spring cylinder 14 f engages or contacts the spring mechanism the drop of the desk top 2 to a fully stowed, planar position. The spring mechanism 14 e can be designed to any desired spring constant. The spring mechanism 14 e may be free to slide along a length of the rod 14 c. Alternately, the spring mechanism 14 e may be fixed to the frame 4. In FIG. 11, the spring mechanism 14 e is seen to be sized such that the desk top 2 initially is held short of the fully stowed, planar position by the force of the spring mechanism 14 e until the spring mechanism 14 e is compressed. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the spring mechanism 14 e engages the gas cylinder 14 f during a second portion of travel of the desk top 2 toward the fully stowed, planar position and the second portion is approximately 25 percent of the total travel of the desk top 2 from the fully raised position to the fully stowed, planar position. Because the spring mechanism 14 e is placed in concentric arrangement with the rod 14 c, and because the spring mechanism 14 e is shorter than the stroke of the rod 14 c, the weight of the desk top 2 may be sufficient to overcome the spring force and to fully stow the desk top 2 in the base 4. Alternately, a user may exert a further force on the desk top 2 to completely stow the desk top 2 in the base 4. The force needed for storage charges the spring mechanism 14 e. Then, when the user operates handle 12 to trigger the gas spring 14, the spring mechanism 14 e initially lifts the desk top 2 by providing an initial upward force that pushes against the engaged, end surface of the gas cylinder 14 f, which in turn creates an initial force to lift the desk top 2 and/or to assist the user in raising the desk top 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-12, the desk 1 may be raised from a fully stowed, planar position where the desk top 2 is approximately 2 inches in height to a fully raised position of approximately 16 inches in height. When the desk top 2 is lowered to the fully stowed, planar position, the spring mechanism 14 e begins dampening the fall of the desk top 2 at approximately 4 inches from the fully stowed, planar position. From the desk top fully stowed, planar position, the spring mechanism 14 e provides an initial lifting force until the gas spring 14 provides an effective lifting force.

As seen in FIG. 3, the L-shaped beam 4 d includes a notch 4 i to clear the gas spring 14, the vertical wall 10 f, and the parallel plates 10 e as the desk 1 is collapsed. The first anchor plate 10 and the second anchor plate 8 contain a series of fastener holes 9 to allow the plates 8, 10 to be fixed to the desk top 2 using screws, not shown, or any known fastener. The wheels 5 c, 6 c may be fastened with screws, bolts, rivets, or any other known fastener to make the wheels rotatable.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a stand up desk. In FIG. 13, stand up desk 100 is seen to be similar in most respects to the stand up desk 1 of FIG. 1. However, the stand up desk 100 includes a cross bar 106 that passes through a pair of loops 102 fixed to the second pair of beams 6 a so as to prevent the tabletop 2 from collapsing fully. With the cross bar 106 withdrawn from the loops 102, the desk top 2 can collapse into the base 4 to a planar configuration for ease of storage and shipping.

While FIG. 1 shows the stand up desk 1 by itself, it should be noted that the desk 1 may be set on top of an ordinary desk or similar structure. The stand up desk 1 is shown with a unitary desk top 2 that provides a single surface that may be used for writing and supporting equipment, for example. In this configuration, the stand up desk 1 may hold a computer screen and a keyboard, for example, and a user then may raise the computer screen and keyboard to a desired height thereby making an ergonomic environment. While sized to fit on an ordinary desk, the stand up desk 1 can be sized to any desired dimension. It is envisioned that the first beams 5 a and the second beams 6 a are tubular in configuration but may be made of any other shape. Further, while the desk top 2 shown is rectangular, other shapes can be envisioned such as circular, triangular, or any other odd shape. The base 4 may be made of metal or any other suitable material, and the desk top 2 can be made of any material, including wood or materials similar to those of any common desk.

In the desk embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the leg assembly operates in cooperation with base 4. In another embodiment, a height-adjustable desk may operate without a base, and beams 5 a of the leg assembly may terminate, for example, in rubber stops or wheels while wheels at the terminus of the beams 6 a then may roll across a surface on which the desk 1 rests, such as a floor, desktop, or tabletop. 

We claim:
 1. An adjustable stand up desk, comprising: a vertically-movable desk top; a desk base; a leg assembly coupled to the vertically-movable desk top and the desk base; and an assisted lift mechanism, comprising: a gas spring coupled to the vertically-movable desk top and the leg assembly that assists in lifting and damping a first portion of travel of the vertically-movable desk top, and a spring device external to and in concentric alignment with the gas spring and sized and positioned to dampen a fall and assist a lift of a second portion of travel of the vertically-movable desk top.
 2. The desk of claim 1, wherein the gas spring comprises: a gas cylinder; and a gas push in rod, wherein the spring device is positioned and has a length such that the spring device is engaged when the vertically-movable desk top is within approximately 25 percent of a desk top stowed, planar position.
 3. The desk of claim 2, wherein the spring device is free to move along a length of the push in rod.
 4. The desk of claim 2, wherein the spring device is fixed at one end.
 5. The desk of claim 1, wherein the spring device is a coil spring.
 6. The desk of claim 1, further comprising a removable safety bar positioned to stop a fall of the vertically-movable desk top.
 7. The desk of claim 1, wherein the leg assembly comprises a scissor lift assembly.
 8. A height-adjustable desk, comprising: a desk top; a desk base; a scissors-lift leg assembly slidably and pivotably coupled to the desk top and the desk base; a first mechanism for extending the leg assembly from a stowed position to one of a plurality of extended positions and returning the an extended position to a stowed position, comprising: a differential pressure gas spring assembly, and a pivotable handle that actuates the gas spring assembly, and a second mechanism external to and in cooperation with the gas spring assembly that dampens a fall of the desk top to the stowed position and assists a lift of the desk top to the extended position; and a safety mechanism that limits the fall of the desk top to the stowed position.
 9. The desk of claim 8, wherein the gas spring assembly comprises: a gas cylinder; a differential pressure piston installed within the gas cylinder; and a push in rod in connection with the piston, and wherein the second mechanism is in concentric free communication with the push in rod such that the second mechanism exerts a damping force on the gas cylinder during only the final 25 percent of the fall of the desk top.
 10. The desk of claim 9, wherein the second mechanism comprises a coil spring.
 11. The desk of claim 8, wherein the safety mechanism comprises: loops affixed to two legs of the leg assembly; and a removable bar inserted through the loops.
 12. The desk of claim 8, wherein the desk top comprises a unitary surface.
 13. A portable, height-adjustable stand up desk, comprising: a desk top; a desk base; a leg assembly slidably and pivotably coupled to the desk top and the desk base; a desk top lift mechanism for extending the leg assembly from a fully stowed, planar position to one of a plurality of extended positions and returning the leg assembly from an extended position to the fully stowed, planar position, comprising: a differential pressure gas spring assembly, a pivotable handle that actuates the gas spring assembly, and a spring mechanism external to and in cooperation with the gas spring assembly that dampens a fall of the desk top to the stowed position and assists a lift of the desk top to the extended position.
 14. The desk of claim 13, further comprising a safety mechanism that limits the fall of the desk top to the stowed position.
 15. The desk of claim 13, wherein the gas spring comprises: a gas cylinder; and a push in rod, wherein the spring mechanism has a length such that the spring mechanism is engaged when the desk top is within approximately 25 percent of the desk top fully stowed, planar position.
 16. The desk of claim 15, wherein the spring device is free to move along a length of the push in rod.
 17. The desk of claim 13, wherein the leg assembly comprises a scissor lift assembly.
 18. A portable desk having a height-adjustable desk top, comprising: an extendible leg assembly coupled to the desk top; and a lift mechanism that extends the leg assembly from a fully stowed, planar position to one of a plurality of extended positions and returns the leg assembly from an extended position to the fully stowed, planar position, comprising: a differential pressure gas spring assembly, a handle that actuates the gas spring assembly, and a spring mechanism external to and in cooperation with the gas spring assembly that dampens a fall of the desk top to the fully stowed, planar position and assists a lift of the desk top to the extended position.
 19. The portable desk of claim 18, further comprising a desk base, wherein the extendible leg assembly is coupled to the desk base.
 20. The portable desk of claim 18, wherein the gas spring assembly comprises: a gas cylinder; and a push in rod, wherein the spring mechanism is positioned and has a length such that the spring mechanism is engaged when the desk top is within approximately 25 percent of the fully stowed, planar position. 